Dumbledore paused outside the room, his fingers lightly brushing the frame as he closed his eyes and extended his senses.
The magic in the room was coiled… and deep. It wasn't an ordinary magical presence. It was as if his power was being swallowed into a void.
He frowned. "That cat…"
"It's more than it seems."
A deep, rhythmic snore drifted from behind the door. Somewhere inside, a creature pulsed with slow, magical resonance.
James Carter, standing anxiously nearby, leaned in. "Well?"
Dumbledore didn't answer right away. His eyes remained fixed on the door.
"I'll go in and speak to it." He said finally.
"Speak to it?" James repeated, startled.
It. Could. Talk.
Dumbledore pushed open the door and stepped inside.
The scent of tea and milk lingered faintly in the air. There was also honey… and oddly, the soft earthy aroma of damp soil and rain.
The room was softly lit, quaint, and painted in the pastel hues of a young girl's dreams.
And in the middle of the bed, sprawled atop a mound of pink quilts like a lazy sovereign, was a mass of ginger fluff.
A first glance might mistake it for a furry cushion or a large sea cucumber.
But Dumbledore knew better, he approached without trying to hide his steps.
From the bed, Garfield stirred.
Tea. Milk. Honey. Rain.
…Footsteps?
Not Peggy. Not Peggy's mum either.
The orange cat yawned, opened one eye… and halted.
Mustache. Cloak. That ridiculous twinkle in the eye.
(⊙o⊙)
Why is he here?!
Wait, wait. Think. Maybe he's here to offer me a scholarship. Hogwarts Mascot?
Head of Magical Beasts Appreciation Club? Or~no… exterminator? Could it be… demon removal?!
In Garfield's head, Pandora screeched, "You overfed furball!"
"The demon hunter's at your door and you're still lounging around like a roast duck! Prepare to die, you freeloading cat!"
"Nonsense." Garfield replied coolly. "I, King Garfield the First of Carter Manor, do not fall so easily."
(●—●)
"Then what's the plan, oh mighty orange loaf?"
Play dumb.
Play extremely dumb.
Garfield yawned again, turned away from Dumbledore, buried his head under his paws, lifted his butt slightly, and muttered under his breath.
"You can't see me, you can't see me. I'm just a cat. A fluffy, meowing orange. Meow meow. That's all."
Dumbledore's lips twitched. This cat was definitely not normal.
With a chuckle, he said, "You're no Animagus. I would've sensed the transformation magic. So… what are you?"
Garfield didn't budge.
"I'm Albus Dumbledore." He continued, "Professor at Hogwarts. Perhaps you've heard of it."
Still no response.
"If we can't have a proper conversation." Dumbledore said lightly.
"I'll be forced to classify you as a dangerous magical creature. Which means I'd have to confiscate you. For study."
"Meow meow, what?!" Garfield's head popped up immediately, eyes wide.
"No need for rash decisions, Professor! I'm cooperative. Very cooperative. Talking orange cat here!"
Dumbledore smiled. "Ah, there you are."
Garfield spun around and sat upright, trying to look dignified on Peggy's crumpled quilt. "So... what exactly do you want from me, Mr. Dumbledore?"
The man studied Garfield intently.
"You seem more aware than you let on. So let's keep this simple. Why are you in Carter Manor? And what exactly are you?"
Garfield stretched lazily, tail flicking. His eyes gleamed with mischief.
"Well, technically, Peggy and her lovely mother invited me in. Blame fate or good taste. As for what I am…"
He gave a slow, theatrical blink.
"I'm a Devourer. Ever heard of us? No? That's fine. Most beings don't live long enough after they do. ~Meow."
The man raised an eyebrow. "I assume that was important, but unfortunately, I don't speak cat."
"Maybe we need a telepath." He sighed.
"A mind reader?" Garfield huffed indignantly.
"Or… you could skip the psychic and just bring me some decent food. Fair warning, though, I don't do dried fish."
"I have taste buds and standards."
"Sweet and sour fish. Or sweet and sour pork ribs. Sauce-braised pork elbow works too. Or maybe some nice barbecue. Meow."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with quiet curiosity as he watched the orange tabby stretch across the windowsill like he owned the place.
"An old friend tells me you've settled in quite well here."
"So tell me, can I trust you not to bring harm to the Carter family? Better yet… would you protect them, should disaster strike?"
Garfield flicked his tail and let out a long, lazy yawn. Then he stood, puffed out his chest, and responded with the usual theatrics…
"Meow! Mrrrow~ Meow-meow!"
To the untrained ear, it was just cat gibberish. But the tone, the attitude, said everything.
If Dumbledore had any doubts, they were erased the moment Garfield stomped a paw and let out a proud, indignant purr-growl.
"Aren't you stating the obvious?" Garfield seemed to say.
"This is my territory. The Carter family feeds me, shelters me, scratches behind my ears. Of course, I'll protect them. They're my people. My… walking food dispensers. MEOW!"
Though Dumbledore couldn't understand the words, he understood the meaning.
Years of reading creatures, humans, and otherwise, had sharpened his instincts.
And this particular feline in disguise was far more than a simple pet.
There was intelligence behind those golden eyes.
Dumbledore's gaze softened.
He knows me.
That strange reaction, when they first met, Garfield had looked at him and instantly turned away, covering his face like a guilty child.
Recognition. But why pretend otherwise?
Dumbledore narrowed his eyes slightly, letting his gaze travel over the cat.
Standard orange tabby coat. Big, watery feline eyes. Around him, a thin rubber collar with a polished metal tag.
Garfield Carter.
Cute.
But what really caught Dumbledore's eye was the metal ring on the cat's paw.
Etched with runes.
Runes he had almost forgotten.
"I've seen markings like these before." Dumbledore murmured, pointing to the ring. "In an old tome... from my youth, perhaps."
"Garfield, may I examine this?"
"Nope." Garfield immediately shook his head.
Dumbledore gave a soft chuckle. "You're no ordinary magical creature. That much is clear."
Busted.
Garfield groaned internally. Damn it. Why is he so clever?
Out loud, he muttered, "I… no…"
Dumbledore blinked. "I'm afraid I didn't catch that."
Garfield sighed. It was no use dodging any longer.
He extended a paw, focusing his magic, and initiated a soul-link, a private mental connection, his consciousness gently brushing against Dumbledore's.
In the quiet of their minds, Garfield's voice came through.
"Albus Dumbledore, Magic Instructor of Hogwarts, greetings. I am Garfield the First, apprentice to the Ancient One, Supreme Sorcerer of Kamar-Taj."
"There's no need for tests or labels, I come in peace. Meow."
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows in surprise at the sudden clarity of thought and speech. The soul-link was powerful and precise.
"Kamar-Taj…" Dumbledore whispered aloud, eyes glinting.
"So that's where I've seen those runes. A legendary order, thought to be myth. Guardians against the darkness, protectors of Earth…"
"Correct." Garfield affirmed.
"The Ancient One has protected this world for centuries. I am her youngest apprentice… though I admit I've taken a small… sabbatical."
"I can see that," Dumbledore replied, amused. "It's rare to see a guardian of Earth napping in a little girl's bedroom."
"We all have our methods." Garfield said smugly.
The conversation drifted for a time. Garfield demonstrated a few spells, minor illusions, a ripple of shielding magic, and a levitating hairball that exploded into golden sparks.
Dumbledore watched with scholarly interest, impressed by the cat's command of energy and will.
Then, quite unexpectedly, Dumbledore asked: "Garfield… would you do me a favor?"
Garfield blinked. "Favor? Depends. Does it involve food?"
"How do you feel about a little trip, Garfield? I have a student who could use your... unique talents on the way to America."
꧁𓊈𒆜༺⚜༻𒆜𓊉꧂
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